November 2009

November 28, 2009

I've been trying to write this post for over a week, but Thanksgiving came and I took a break.

I worked really hard for about a week and half to try and make soap and some sundry projects for my Handmade Holiday Open House. I felt like I needed to do something a little different this year, to try and branch out a little bit. I mainly invited friends and family. I felt a little weird about the whole thing, not wanting to pressure anyone in to buying something they didn't want, but many friends assured me that they wouldn't buy anything unless they really, really wanted it. (I think they are all a little tired of me needing to hear that over, and over again.)

I was really nervous, for some reason. This is really the first time that I have put my wares "out there" and it was nerve wracking. I think it went really well. We had drinks, savories, and sweets.

It was a little cocktail party, with shopping!

You will have to forgive the number of pictures that follow. I had my own personal, Very Talented photographer at the party, Lisa from Ride The Waves. She is so good and took so many great pictures, I'm having a hard time deciding which ones to use, so bear with me.

I took orders for soap.

These are the Peppermint "Candy" Soaps. Some are wrapped in handknit washcloths.

Soap snowflakes, two ways.

There was a small flock of "winter" sheep.

In their forest of felted stacking trees.

I had trivet sets, with a fabric covered trivet, felted potholder, four napkins, and a peppermint "candy" soap.

Fabric covered coasters.What party would be complete without door prizes, "winter" sheep's cousin "Christmas" sheep, and two holiday blocks,and a little takeaway.

Thank you for your patience. I swear I really edited these. There were so many great photos. I kinda wish I could take credit for them. I also wish I had her with me all the time, my life looks so good through her lens. Thank you, thank you again Lisa!

As I'm writing this post I am making 40 peppermint "candy" soaps for delivery and trying to figure out all the other things I need to make before I take a little mini-mommy vacation later this week. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I am thankful for so many things including my friends, who are a constant source of support and my blog readers. I know you're out there!

November 18, 2009

I'm trying to make some things for the Handmade Holiday open house on Sunday.(or Soapen House as A1 calls it) Right now I'm not sure why I decided to do this. I have a studio full, well, half full, of incomplete projects. I really don't know what I'm doing, but at least we have a drink menu!

November 12, 2009

I know it's always crazy, four kids, two dogs and a crafting habit, but as the kids get older it just seems to be getting crazier. A3 is on the swim team now, so we are adding incredibly long swim meets and four practices a week to our schedule. We also hosted a Champagne and Pearl Party for friends this weekend, replete with one of G's famous drink menus, all champagne drinks, appetizers, desserts and some really cool jewelry.

(sorry there aren't any pictures of the jewels, the party got crazy!)

After all the excitement, our Sunday was relatively quiet. Just some knitting, A3's,

and laundry, dreaded laundry.

I do appreciate them all lined up, and clean!

There was some buzz at the party, wondering where to buy some of my handmade things, and I had no answer. I have an ETSY account with nothing listed (I'm afraid of shipping) and I haven't gotten it together to do another craft show, read "fear of rejection". So, I decided to start out slow, with a party, complete with drinks and food, of course. (see above) I'm just inviting friends and friends of friends, with no pressure to buy. That means I need to get started making, which is why this post from the weekend is so late. Photos and more craziness to follow.

November 01, 2009

I know. I'm about through with them too, but I couldn't resist a set of stacking bowls. This is the same yarn that I used for the lidded pumpkin bowls and it felts so nicely. It's Araucania Nature wool, and it was on sale. I didn't buy as many as I wanted and now I'm regretting it, because they have a great green for these trees. Watch out folks it's tree season soon, and snowflakes. Yippee! Say goodbye to pumpkins.